IML: Greetings from new member, 1978 NYB

[hbh <fliprollem@xxxxxxxxx>]

 

Hello to everyone, and thanks for welcoming me to this fine list.

 

We got our first "classic" car this past Tuesday, November 28, drove it home and locked it in the garage out of the recent blustery weather here in northeast Ohio.  Today was dry and relatively clear so we took her out on the road for the first official time.  She's a 1978 NYB 4 door, and we think she's mighty fine.

 

We were looking for a house to buy when we ran across this beauty a few weeks ago.  Well, we didn't buy that house, but we did act on the NYB the owner had for sale.

 

I have no idea how true any of the following story is, but I have no reason to doubt the previous owner.  Her name is Gail, a recent widow (and a very sweet person) who's attempting to liquidate assets and move on with her life.  As she tells the history of this car...

 

It was originally ordered by a Chrysler dealer in Cleveland.  Allegedly it's a special shade of green that was applied to only four vehicles that year.  I'm not sure if he ever took possession of it or not, but he died right around the time the car was delivered.  Gail and her husband bought it.  The hubby treated this car like a baby... he operated a service station and had the space, tools, expertise, and desire to keep this vehicle in original condition as best he could.  In Gail's words, "It's never been in salt, never been smoked in."  They used it only for special trips and occasional vacations.  Original mileage when we received it: 64178.  Gail added that when the car was ready for shocks, her husband found a place in TX that had OEM shocks, and bought and installed those.  The interior is immaculate.  They really took excellent care of this car.

 

We've had little time to do anything with it since we bought it.  It needs a good detailing inside and out, and I need to have a reputable mechanic give the engine a once-over, hopefully to smooth that 400 out a bit (she runs great but there's a bit of hesitation from time to time).  The AC has not been converted to the new coolant, and needs to be recharged.  There are two small nicks on the driver's side rear fender that have sprouted minor surface rust, and only minimal scuffs visible around the back of the trunk lid.  There is an issue with the driver's side power window... it may have slipped its belt.  Everything else, right down to the original 8-track player, is in great working order.

 

She'll soon bear historical plates.  We plan to keep it under 1000 miles/year, and keep her dry, clean, and roadworthy for years to come.  I never knew that driving such a huge landship could be so much fun.  Right now she's resting snug in the garage.

 

Anyway, we took her out for a 30 mile spin today to get a feel for her and determine if anything required immediate attention (we noted nothing major).  While we had her out, we snapped a few pictures, and the link to the pics is below.  I hope y'all like 'em.

 

I've been on this list less than a week but I've already learned a lot from your posts.  Thank you, and I hope eventually to be able to contribute positively. 

 

- Randy

 

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fliprollem/album?.dir=89c9re2&.src="">

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